EPP and Liberal political leaders meet ahead of EU summit
(1 Mar 2012) 1. Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, arriving for meeting 2. Banner reading (English) "European Liberal Democrats" 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Olli Rehn, European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs: "Unemployment is a huge societal problem in Europe and that's why it's crucial that the European Council today will indeed focus on growth-boosting measures and reforms that will also enhance employment and job creation in Europe." 4. Cutaway of cameraman 5. SOUNDBITE (English) Guy Verhofstadt, Leader of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe group in the European Parliament: "That's the proof that besides austerity you need also a policy of growth and this policy of growth we have to take a number of measures and reforms for that as fast as possible. And then finally we have also to find a structural solution to end the euro crisis." 6. Cutaway of cameraman 7. SOUNDBITE (English) Mark Rutte, Dutch Prime Minister: "We believe that Bulgaria and Romania have not done enough. They have made progress but they have not done enough to fulfil all the Schengen criteria as we see them." 8. Cutaway of cameraman 9. Various of members of the European Liberal Democrats at roundtable discussion 10. Cameraman outside Academie Royale building where leaders of the European People's Party (EPP) grouping meet 11. Wide of Austrian Vice Chancellor Michael Spindelegger arriving 12. Close-up of EU and EPP flags 13. SOUNDBITE (English) Antonis Samaras, Greek Opposition Leader: "We are determined to implement fiscal consolidation, and structural reforms. At the same time, we have to add a growth dimension to our programme so as to promote recovery and to protect social cohesion." 14. Wide of media 15. Wide of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban arriving 16. Wide of media 17. SOUNDBITE (English) Enda Kenny, Irish Prime Minister: "I really want to have a very open, thorough and comprehensive discussion with the people about this, so everybody understands just how important their decision is in regard to Ireland's future and our people's future, because that's what it is about." 18. Wide of European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso arriving 19. Cutaway of camera 20. SOUNDBITE (English) Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President: "We are determined to avoid that the financial crisis becomes a chronic economic and social crisis. That's why I expect now the heads of certain governments to take clear commitments in concrete terms on implementation, on the reforms for growth and jobs. Especially the programme for youth unemployment." 21. Wide of Romanian President Traian Basescu arriving 22. German Chancellor Angela Merkel arriving 23. Cutaway of cameraman 24. SOUNDBITE (German) Angela Merkel, German Chancellor: "I think we should work worldwide on improving competitiveness and only if Europe makes it will we be able to lower our budget deficit in the future and at the same time we will be able guarantee people in Europe prosperity and work places. I am looking forward to the meeting." 25. Merkel walking into meeting venue STORYLINE: Europe's top political leaders met in Brussels on Thursday ahead of a European Union summit aimed at tackling unemployment and boosting economic growth in the region. Olli Rehn, the European Commissioner for Economic and Monetary Affairs, told reporters that unemployment remained a "huge societal problem" in Europe. New figures showed that unemployment in the 17-country eurozone hit 10.7 percent in January - the highest level since the currency union launched in 1999. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
